What is the difference between vCards and Digital Business Cards?

Overview

What message are you portraying?

Digital = Contemporary | Print = Experienced & Trustworthy.
We recommend combining the two for the best possible message.

Regardless of whether you want a vCard or a Digital business card;
– if coded by a QR code or NFC chip, we need the data.
Paste your requirements into this spreadsheet template.
Please feel free to call us if you are stuck 😀

A vCard and a Digital Business Card are similar in function but differ in format and usage.

A vCard (Virtual Contact File) is a standardised file format (.vcf) used to store contact information, such as name, phone number, email, company, and address. It can be attached to emails, shared via QR codes, or stored in contact lists.
vCards are simple, static files primarily used for exchanging contact details digitally.

A Digital Business Card (DBC) , on the other hand, is a broader term that refers to an online or app-based interactive card that contains contact information and additional features, such as: social media links, multimedia, and live updates. Unlike vCards, which are static files, Digital Business Cards can be updated in real time and often include customisation options like branding, videos, and clickable links. Essentially, they are a hosted webpage formatted to contain your specific details.

In short, a vCard is a specific file format for contact data (that gets stored on your phone / computer), while a Digital Business Card is a more dynamic, interactive way of sharing professional details (viewing a webpage).

vCards

There is a bit to digest for this option, and as it should be incuded within a link from a Digital Business Cards - we have moved this info to a dedicated page.
Click here for what vCards are and how to make them.

PROS: Free and simple
CONS: Non editable | no method allows editing once a contact has been saved to the recipient's phone - other than a required app to be downloaded.

Digital Business Cards

A Digital Business Card is an online or app-based version of a traditional business card that allows professionals to share their contact details electronically. They allow clickable links, social media profiles, videos, and live updates. Many Digital Business Card platforms allow users to update their information in real time, ensuring that contacts always have the most current details... at the time that the card is tapped / scanned.

Typically you will be able to customise / edit:
Photo | Name | Job Title | Address | Phone | Mobile | Email | Web Social: (Facebook / Instagram etc) | Profile Photo or logo | Header image

How are they are shared?

A link to a Digital Business Cards (webpage) is shared via:

1. QR codes: Printed on your physical card.
   
2. NFC (Near Field Communication): Chip in your physical card.

A Digital Business Card should have a 'save contact' button that allows the contact to be saved to the recipient's phone.
... And when it is saved to the recipient's phone, you cannot edit your details - only they can.

See more info on how contacts save to your phone.

PROS:

• All content is editable.
• Low data required = smaller QR / cheaper NFC chip

CONS:

• Either paying a subscription cost - or...
• Possibly selling your data.
• Effort to build (if creating on your website).
• Non editable once a contact has been saved to the recipient's phone - other than a required app to be downloaded.
• The thing to consider with this is that the content that displays is a webpage:
  
  • This means someone is hosting it.
  • What happens if the server goes down? You will not see any content.
  • Some suppliers charge a monthly or yearly fee to host this webpage. If you don’t pay, the service stops working.

Creating Digital Business Cards (DBC)

The QR code and/or NFC chip is encoded with a unique URL. When the QR code is scanned, or the NFC chip is tapped, it takes you to a webpage that is formatted to contain items found on a business card.
This means, at any time, you can update content on this page*.

1. Choose a DBC Service provider:
   This will generate a unique URL for each person's DBC.
   Here is a list of some popular options for Digital Business Card providers:
   
   

   Service Provider	Pricing	Info
   Blinq	FREE / from USD4.99 per month	View website for options
   vCard Link	FREE	See how to create here
   Businesscards.io	from USD3.00 per month	View website for options
   design.com	FREE / from $4.99 per month	View website for options
   unit.link	FREE / from €2.99 per month	View website for options

   When considering free service providers, consider how do they generate revenue? It is possible some free DBC services could be selling your details. This being said, we have used vCard for some time and have not experienced any issues.

   When comparing to providers such as Tapt, consider:
   a. you are only purchaing one physical card per employee .
   b. you are paying from $55 per year per employee to keep editing functions active.

2. Provide us the links / URLs:
   Copy the links for your individual team members and paste into our spreadsheet template
3. We Create / Encode
   We will use the links in the spreadsheet to encode the NFC chips / generate QR codes to your individual cards.

* when the vCard / contact is saved to the recipient's phone, you cannot edit your details - only they can.

Creating Free Digital Business Cards using vCard Link

In this example, we show you instructions for vCard Link

1. Creating your card:
   Go to https://vcard.link/ to create your Digital Business Card.
   
2. Enter details:
   Important! Enter email address and password – this will allow you to edit the card if required at a later date (if you don’t use a password manager – we use and recommend www.lastpass.com )
   • Decide which fields you want to add details for, the first dropdown box contains the class (ie main / work / home) - must select “work” if you want the detail to show by default in Outlook etc.
   The most common fields are :
   i. Photo – make sure you click ‘tick’ to crop
   ii. First name
   iii. Last name
   iv. Phone
   v. Email
   vi. Website
   vii. Address
   
   
3. Click 'create card'
   You will be directed to an overview of your card
   
4. Make note of the URL – for example ours is https://vcard.link/card/DP0j.
   – we recommend saving this in your password manager entry. This will allow you edit the details at a later date.
5. When you are happy with the vCard, go back to the webpage and click ‘share’.
   
6. Press the 'Copy' button next to the 'VCF file' link.
   
7. Paste this into this spreadsheet template next to the relevant person’s name.
8. Send the spreadsheet to us - so we can encode on a NFC chip - or print variable QR codes!

PROS:

• Can embed logo.
• They are remotely editable. If you want to update the details of the vcard (before someone saves them to your phone), you only need to make note of the URL, email and password to edit.

CONS:

• Will only work if there is internet when the card is tapped.
• Less secure, reliant on 3rd party free service provider that – may – be on-selling your data.
• What happens if the website closes? The encoded links will be useless, possibly worse if operator secures the domain name for malicious intentions.

Creating Digital Business Cards on your Own Website

Although this may be some initial work for your developer, once complete, there is nothing better from a marketing perspective as it is YOUR domain and hosting that is directed to.
See our example NFC Contact web page best to view this on your phone.

Why Choose Us for Business Cards Printing

At Print Promotion, we offer the best in business cards according to your unique brand. From premium material to cutting-edge printing techniques, we ensure the cards leave the right impression on the recipients' minds. Services are offered across Newstead, QLD, and all surrounding regions to provide our customers with quality and personalisation.

Building your brand identity requires a strategy, including selecting the best business cards. From selecting materials to perfecting the design, emphasis is placed on every detail. Choose a reliable printing service for your business cards and enjoy a professional look that reflects the very heart of your brand.

Get started today!

Call us on 1300 669 211,or shop online at www.printpromotion.com.au. Although online shopping is available, we recommend a complimentary consultation (via phone or video call) based on your artwork to ensure the best results. Let us help you print business cards that will leave a lasting impression!